Comments on: Giving thanks

By: Charlie in Dayton

Charlie in Dayton — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:34:58 +0000

…wait…

…the BA was a BAND GEEK?????

…there may be gods after all…

By: kitty

kitty — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:19:16 +0000

We do the same tradition at our table. This year, was typical. The focus is on others. I said I was thankful for my husband who is always supportive, and I really appreciated how really wonderful he was. The other couples at the table all pretty much said the same thing (well NOT that they were thankful for MY husband, but thankful for their spouse, and made a few comments about the good qualities of the spouse and or boyfriend/girlfriend).

In a way I feel we rarely take the time to express how much we appreciate the people around us in our life. Sure we made a good choice when we got married, or we lucked out with family (you can’t choose your parents). There is the old saying that Sherlock Holmes once used in a story, “There but for the grace of God go I”. I think in all of us there is a sense “boy I’m lucky!” And in a sense saying “hey I’m grateful I’ve got a job in this economy!” is a way of taking time to appreciate your life instead of the seemingly year long focus on what you DON’T have. A simple dinner reflection on what IS good in your life is such a break from the whining we hear (and sometimes indulge in) all year.

By: Mark Hansen

Mark Hansen — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:27:41 +0000

@fly, I tried using your directions but was unable to get the pages you mentioned. As Davidlpf suggested, put the link in the box marked “Website” when posting.

As David also mentioned, this wasn’t covered up by CERN and it’s old news. BA covered it somewhere on this blog.

By: Kaleberg

Kaleberg — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:50:50 +0000

Giving thanks does not require a target, merely a thought and its expression, internal or external. If you express anger or joy, you don’t have to express it to anyone or anything. In fact, you don’t even have to be thankful for any particular thing. It is possible to experience and express an emotion completely in its own context. Since Thanksgiving is usually a communal event, one often expresses thanks aloud, and often with a particular focus. As the old joke goes at our non-vegetarian household, everyone has something to be thankful for, except the turkey.

By: Davidlpf

Davidlpf — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:32:22 +0000

@fly CERN did not cover it up, second why can you not provide the link yourself. (If you do not want in moderation limbo just put in website anderneath where you put your email and it will appear in your name.)

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:31:51 +0000

Phil –

You have indeed a valid point — “giving thanks” implies thanking someone. But it doesn’t have to be a deity. You got close when you thanked Randi for giving you the opportunity to be president of the foundation.

Here’s my suggestion: give thanks to all that have enabled you (and not just You, Phil, but everyone) to be where you are today. I thank my wife for sticking by me all these years, thank my parents for giving me the upbringing they did, my teachers (well, all but one or two) for giving me the education that enabled me to be what I am, etc. No deity was involved in getting my life to where it was, but I AM thankful for all those that WERE involved in it.

And I also give thanks to Phil Plait for being who he is, a voice of reason in a very unreasonable world!

By: Mick

Mick — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:16:46 +0000

Well, me, I don’t mind that we don’t have thanksgiving in my homecountry. Not so much because I couldn’t think of stuff I’m happy with, but more because I’m just not the type to wax over it.

And what about deeply unhappy people? Sounds pretty sadistic to put depressed people to a ritual of telling everyone how happy they are.

Nope, I could do without Thanksgiving. And indeed we don’t have it around here, so suits me fine!